Japanese conductor wins French competition

A 33-year-old Japanese man has won the International Competition for Young Conductors in Besancon, France, which is known as a gateway to success for young musicians.

Yuki Kakiuchi performed at the biennial competition on Friday, along with 2 other finalists.

Kakiuchi has been living in Vienna, Austria, for 10 years.

He says he was thinking of those affected by the March 11th disaster in northeastern Japan when he stood on the podium, hoping that he could produce results that would encourage Japanese people.

Kakiuchi also says it is a great honor for him to win the competition won earlier by Seiji Ozawa, from whom he has received lessons. Ozawa, a world-renowned maestro, began his career after winning the competition in 1959.

This was the second straight competition won by a Japanese conductor. Kazuki Yamada won the prize at the previous competition in 2009.